On Saturday, the Oxford Varsity hockey team stepped out of conference to play Fraser, battling them to a 4-4 tie.
Junior Blaine Marney played his first game back since his shoulder injury early in the year, and he made his presence known, playing well at both ends of the ice and getting the Wildcats? first goal of the game. Junior’s Mitch Stefanski and David Simpson assisted his goal.
Oxford jumped up 2-0 on Will Buday’s first goal of the game. Fraser then scored three consecutive goals before Buday scored his second goal, tying the game at three. Fraser jumped on top 4-3 in the third, but Matt Reid scored to tie the game at four.
‘We had a hard time getting going in the game, but were able to battle for a tie,? said Oxford Head Coach David Hague.?’We had some strong opportunities down the stretch, but just weren’t getting the bounces.’For us, we know it wasn’t our best game, so we’ll rebound and make sure we’re ready next week.?
Sophomore Matt Reid helped the Wildcats avenge an earlier loss to Fenton, getting all three of Oxford’s goals in their 3-1 victory over Fenton last Wednesday.
Hague was thrilled with his team’s performance. ‘Fenton beat us pretty good’towards the beginning of the season, so it was a good challenge for our team to see where we would stack up,? he said. ‘All 17 of our players where strong and it was truly a team win.?
Reid’s first two goals of the game were unassisted, the second goal coming on a penalty shot in the third period, breaking the 1-1 tie. He iced the game on his empty net goal late in the third period, which was assisted by Senior Elliot Wicker, giving Reid the hat trick.
The strong defensive play combined with the strong play of Goalie Corey Hrischuk, who stopped 34 of 35 shots, helped Oxford overcome Fenton.
‘This was’our most complete game of the year and I was happy to see our boys battle for’the win,? Hague said. ‘We were engaged from the first drop of the puck and ‘competed? the entire game.’Matt Reid was outstanding tonight and no doubt he earned the hat trick.
‘He was strong offensively, but more important, he was great in the’defensive zone as well,? Hague added.
Senior Captain Ben McCloskey proved why he is one of leaders on the team, scoring a hat trick and getting an assist in the Wildcats 4-1 victory over Cilo on Monday, Jan 26.
His confident play helped Oxford take a 2-0 lead in the first period. He scored an unassisted goal to begin the scoring, and had an assist on Senior Jake DePompolo’s goal in the first. McCloskey came out on fire in the third, scoring his second goal of the game with assists from Wicker and Senior Matt Zaun. He completed the hat trick by scoring an unassisted goal, which gave Oxford their final margin of victory.
Hague was extremely pleased with the way the team played, especially McCloskey. ‘Senior Captain Ben McLoskey was outstanding and once again’displayed what it means to be a leader,? he said. ‘Ben is one of the hardest working individuals I’ve ever been around and he earned his hat trick (3 goals) tonight.??
The Wildcats made their presence felt at both ends of the ice, playing excellent defense in front of Goalie Corey Hrischuk, who stopped 25 of 26 shots.
They also created numerous offensive chances due to the defensive pressure, and McCloskey played a key role.
‘He was so strong in the defensive zone blocking shots and winning battles, which ultimately gave him the opportunities at the other end.’We’re fortunate to have a’guy like this and there is no doubt the rest of the team followed his lead tonight,? Hague said.
Oxford now stands at 8-3 in the Flint Metro League, a half-game behind first place Flint-Kearsley.